Critical Minerals Value-Add Push: AfDB urges African countries to stop exporting raw critical minerals and instead build local processing, beneficiation and regional value chains, warning the current model shifts jobs and know-how abroad. Aviation Decarbonisation: Nigeria inaugurates a National SAF steering committee and launches feasibility studies to position the country as an Africa sustainable aviation fuel hub. Regional Energy Infrastructure: ECOWAS heads sign the intergovernmental agreement for the African Atlantic Gas Pipeline, aiming to connect West African gas to demand centres and deepen integration. Oil & Gas Skills for Youth: Nigeria’s NCDMB and Renaissance begin training 300 young Nigerians for mechanical, electrical and instrumentation roles in the sector. Health & Cancer Care: Zimbabwe asks WHO for stronger support to expand cancer screening, early diagnosis, oncology services and access to affordable medicines. Digital & AI Governance: Ethiopia joins the WAICO AI cooperation body, signalling a push for safer, fairer international AI governance. Waste & Recycling Formalisation: South Africa moves to register waste pickers and bring them into the formal recycling economy with digital payments and producer-funded programmes. Sports Tech & Performance: Ghana’s Black Queens add Swedish video analyst James Slaughter ahead of WAFCON 2026. Data-Driven Equity in Medicine: Researchers warn genetic risk tools don’t work equally for everyone, highlighting bias risks in genomic models.